Hydraulic curb press



Feb. 21, 1933. N. J, ALLBRIGHT HYDRAULIC CURB PRESS Filed Jan. 29, 1929 CJi Patented Feb. 21, 1933 FFICE N'GRIWIAN J. ALLBEIGHT, CF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNQR TO THE ALLBR-IGHT-NELL CGIEPANY, A COEPOBATZQN GE ZLLINOIS HYDRAULIC CURB PRESS Application filedianuary 29, 1929. Serial No. 335 945.

T is invention relates to hydraulic curb press.

More specifically, the invention relates to a press of curb type, in which liquid beari such as for example cracklings,

the ing mate 'ials, oil bearing seeds, fruits and the like are fed into a curb in superposed ayers separator by metallic plates or similar means and sub jected to pressure by means of a vertically acting piston or ram, under the influence of hydraulic or other pressures, in order to force the oil or grease out of the materials. In such presses the liquids oils or greases are collooted in suitable receptacle.

in presses or" the character just stated, the material being deprived of i oil or is in the form of cakes separated by metallic plates or similar means and necessary to remove the cakes from the curb before refilling the curb for succeeding pressing operation.

esscs for this general purpose have heretofore been proposed and used. Such presses were of two general types so far as the manner in which the cakes we e removed from the curb and fresh mater al subsequently fed thereto is concerned. 7

In one type the cakes were removed from the bottom of the curb after which fresh material was fed 'nto the curb from the top thereof and the layers formed from the bot-- tom to the top of the press. In such presses the curbs were substantially moved, and jack, chains and other appliances were needed, and a laborious and time consuming series of op erations were required to operate them.

In the second type the cakes are removed rcni the top or the curb after which the maerial is fed into the top of the curb for a succeeding press operation.

In the hi-st ty p L comparativel great number of separate operations necessary in each pressing operation with a loss of considerable time and expense of operation, but in this type of press the material was fed into the top of the curb after the plunger was completclv retracted and built up layers from the bottom thereof. Considerable difficulty in proper distribution of the material resulted because the different layers were not readily visible nor readily accessible to the operator, particularly the lower layers.

In the second type of press, while eliminating many of the operations present in the first type the constructions heretofore proposed were more or less complicated involving in some instances special curb raising means and did not permit the expeditious carrying out of the pressing operations due U to the complexity of the constructions used.

It is a primary objectof the present invention to provide a press particularly for the above stated purpose in which the noted objections are obviated.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic curb press of such construction that the oil or grease may be pressed from the material, cakes removed, and in which fresh material may be supplied for a subsequent pressing operation continuously without interruption for the application of appliances and adjuncts between the pressing and cake removing steps.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a hydraulic curb press in which the material receiving curb is substantially stationary during the operation of the press though mounted so that it may be slightly automatically raised and lowered prior to the ejecting operation and in order to facilitate removal of the top platen respectively as a part of the upward and downward strokes of the power actuated pressing means independently of any other means.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic curb press of comparatively simple and inexpensive construction adapted for substantially continuous and expeditious use with comparatively little labor and expense.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide means for association with the curb of a press adapted to cause substantially uniform extraction of liquids from the material being pressed throughout the mass thereof. b

Other objects of the invention and the means by which the above enumerated objects are accomplished and the benefits derived the press therefrom will be ref rred to in the course of the following description and as defined in the claims.

Reference will now be had to the accompanying drawing disclosing a areferred embodiment of my invention, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevational view partly broken away and in vertical section of the in proved press construction.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View, as seen in the directon of arrow 2.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view disclosing a packing structure embodied in the invention.

Figure lis a perspective vi-w of one of plate units embodied in my invention, the parts thereof being shown in separated position.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, in which like characters d signate like parts, 10 designates a casting embodying a hollow base supporting member 11 and an inwardly extending cylinder 12 preferably integral therewith. The base supporting member 11 may be provider with integral brackets 13 adapted to engage a floor as indicated by the line 1 1 and be secured thereto by suitable securing means with cylinder 12 projecting through the floor into a room thereunder. he base supporting member 11 is provided adjacent the corners thereof with apertured bosses 15 for the reception of the inner ends of vertic liy disposed guide rods 16 which are retained against inner movement within bosses 15 by means of split collars 1?, t 1e half sections of which are held in frictional engagement with the rods by bolts 18. The rods are preferably retained against endwise movement in the opposite direction within bosses 15 by nuts 19 threadedly engaged with the inner ends of the rods in engagement with the inner ends of bosses 15.

Adjustably and removably supported on the other ends of rods 16 is a head 21 provided with apertured bosses 22 for the reception of said ends of rods 16.

Head 21 is retained against movement in one direction on rods 16 by split collars 23, similar to collars 17, the half sections of which are held in frictional engagement with rods 16 by bolts 2 1. Saiu head 21 is retained against movement in the other direction on rods 16 preferably by nuts threadedly engaged with the adjacent ends of the rods and arranged to engage bosses 22. Nuts 19 and 25 are as indicated provided with aper tures 26 for reception of a suitable tool for turning thereof.

Resting on member 11 and secured. thereto, as by bolts 27 are bottom platen supporting members 28 to which are secured, as by bolts 29, the base of a bottom platen 31.

Platen 31 is a hollow casting nember provided with a horizontal wall 32 in vertical spaced relation with the base and defining with the outer wall 33 and an inner conical flange 3 1 a grease or oil collecting receptacle which is in communication with a suitable outlet 35.

Normally resting upon the wall 32 is the base of a curb 36, which, as shown, comprises vertically disposed slightly spaced slats 37 maintained in cylindrical form by comparatively heavy hoops 38.

As indicated, the flange engaging base portion of curb 36 is defined by spaced slat extensions defining openings 39 for a purpose later described as well as providing for a more stable seating of curb 36 on wall Adjustably engaged with each rod 16 is a curb stop 11 each comprising a flanged rod engaging section l2 having a hoop engaging extension 13 and a flanged rod engaging section 1 1, the two sections being drawn into tight frictional engagement with the respective rod 16 by bolts 45 extending through the flanges of the two sections.

Disposed between the bottom of head 21 and the top of curb 36 is a top platen 46 which, as indicated, is of substantially cylindrical body formation provided with an upper flange a? and a lower flange 18, adapted in pressing operations to close the adjacent end of curb 36. The cylindrical body and flanges 17 and 48 of platen 16 merge into a laterally extending web 49 provided with vertically spaced horizontal arms 51 each provided with a flanged rod engaging section to which is detachably connected by bolts 53 a second flanged rod engaging section 5%, the sections 52 and 5 1 being maintained out of frictional engagement with the respective rod 16 in any way, as by suitable shims interposed between the sections, so as to permit platen 16 to be swung outward from curb 36, the sections 52 and 5% providing hin es for the platen. The lower sections 52 and o-l may rest on the adjacent stop 11 to prevent platen 46 moving downward out of operative relation with the top or mouth of curb 36.

A. suitable platen stop 17 is carried by head 21 for engaging platen 4C6 to properly locate platen 1-6 when swung into operative position over curb 36. A suitable handle 16' is carried by platen 16 afiording a ready means for grasping the platen for swinging movement thereof.

Reciprocably mounted within cylinder 12 is a piston member 55 of cylindrical formation having an inner closed end and an outer open end in which is inserted a tubular extension 56 of a piston head 57, the extension 56 being secured to the member 55 by a brass pin 58.

The base supporting member 11 is pr vided with a central opening 59 concentric with the inner wall of cylinder 12 but of less diameter and a packing ring 61 having an opening 62 coinciding with opening 59 is secured to member 11, as by bolts 63. As indicated more clearly in Figure 3 member 11 is provided with a recess 64 opening to the outer surface and opening 59 thereof and packing rin 61 is provided withv a locating flange 65 seating within recess 64 in spaced-relation to the bottom thereof.

A leather packing 66 of U-shape in cross section is disposed in recess 64 and confined therein by flange 65, the packing providing a fluid tight chamber withincylinder 12.

As shown in Figure 1 piston member 55 extends throiwh o enin s 59 and 62 of member 11 and flange 61 respectively and through a central opening 67 in platen 3l-with head 57 normally resting adjacent the lower end of curb 36 and piston member 55 is in closely spaced relation to the inner wall of cylinder 12 as indicated in Figure l.

Piston head 57 is provided with a channel 68 V-shaped in cross section on the inner face thereof and adjacent the margin thereof for the purpose later described. The lower end of cylinder 12 is provided with a suitable hydraulic pipe connection 69, whereby fluid under pressure may be admittedto chamber 12 to actuate the press.

A plurality of press plate units are provided for positioning in curb 36 between successive layers of material to facilitate the eX- traction of grease or oil therefrom, one of which units is illustrated in detail in Fig 4 and a plurality of which are partially shown in 1 in operative position.

Each of the units comprises an imperforate disk plate 71 of a diameter slightly less than that of the interior of curb 36 and preferably approximately inch thick, the plates 71 adapted to be positioned in contact with the upper surfaces of the successive layers of material as indicated in Fig. 1.

Each unit further comprises a disk plate 72 of the same diameter as plate 71 but only approximately inch thick to the bottom of which is spot-welded a plurality of ribs or bars 7.3 in parallel disposition and approximately 4 inch apart, the bars being adapted in operation to engage the outer surface of plate 71 as indicated in Fig. 1 thus defining plurality of drain channels 74 between plates 71 and 72. 3

Plate 72 is provided with a plurality of relatively small perforations 75 positioned between ribs 73 and a disk shaped #4 duck cloth 7 6 which may be fixed to the perforated plate is positioned in contact with the upper surface of plate 72, cloths 76 in operative position engaging the lower surfaces of successive layers of material as indicated in Fig. 1.

In o Jeration, curb 36 is filled with material from which liquid, oil or grease is to be pressed, the material being arranged in successive layers separated by the press plate units above described, successive layers of material being preferably about 3 inches thick and each layer being supported on a press plate unit thus providing adequate drainage of liquids from within the layer through the cloth 76, perforations 75 and channels 7 4. It will be noted upon reference to Fig. 1 that head 57 replaces imperforate plate 71 for the first layer of material.

The piston member '55 may be caused to move comparatively slowly in one direction under the action of hydraulic pressure within cylinder 12, and slowly in the reverse direction when the pressure is released.

The filling of curb 36 is accomplished during the reverse or downward movement of the piston member as more fully hereinafter described. I

WVith curb 36 filled with material and the parts in the position indicated in Figure 1 piston member 55 moves upward pushing piston head 57 upwardly within curb 36 moving curb 36 into tight engagement with flange 48 and then pressing the layers of material between head 57 and the lower surface of said flange.

Upon upward movement of piston head 57 within curb 36, the press plate units function as slowly moving pistons as the successive units approach each other as head 57 approaches flange 48 thus effectively subjecting the entire mass of material to a substantially uniform pressure and due to the perforations in plates 7 2 and channels 7 4 between plates 71 and 72 the liquid is expressed as effectively from the centers of the layers as from the margins thereof and the oil or grease passes through channels 74 outward through the slits between slots 37 and over the bevelled outer surfaces of hooks 38 into the receptacle in lower platen 31. hen the material has been subjected to. sufficient pressure to extract substantially all the grease or oil there from, which occurs before piston head 57 has reached its upper limit of travel, the pressure on piston 55 is momentarily relieved and platen 46 is grasped by handle 46 and swung outwardly opening the upper end of curb 36. Pressure is then again admitted to chamber 12 and upward movement of piston head 57 continues, moving curb 36 upwardly until upper hoop 38 engages extensions 4.3, said extensions serving to hold the curb from movement, so that further movement of plunger 57 causes the cakes of pressed material to be ejected from the upper end of curb 36. During this operation the cakes are disposed of and the separating metal plate units collected for the succeeding curb filling operation.

hen the press cakes have all been forced from the top of curb 36 upon continued upward movement of piston head 57, the hydraulic pressure is released and the piston begins its downward stroke. Coincident with the release of pressure curb 36 moves slightly downward into engagement with wall 32. During the slow downward movement of plunger 57 a fresh supply of material is fed into curb 36 in successive layers separated by the press plate units, at such rate that when the piston reaches its lower limit the curb is completely filled with a fresh charge of material, whereupon platen 46 is again swung into position over curb 36 above the open outer end thereof for a succeeding pressing operation upon the next upward movement of piston head 57.

It will be noted that curb stops 41 are positioned at a distance above upperhoop 38 somewhat greater than the distance between the top of curb 36 and the bottom of platen l6 in the seated position of curb 36 in order that the open top or mouth of curb 36 may be first pushed into tight engagement with the bottom of platen e6 by the action of the upwardly moving piston. It will be observed further that the distance between upper hoop 38 and extensions l3 may be such that the curb will be further raised a comparatively shortdistance after removal of platen 46' at the beginning of the cake discharging stage, so that the inertia of the curb and its contents may be overcome by the plunger before the layers are ejected from the curb.

During the pressing operations upon upward movement of piston head 57 some of the oil or grease will pass between the inner wall of curb 36 and the outer edge of piston head 57 which oil or grease will pass out of the bottom of curb 86, being aided by openings 89 and conical collecting flange Some of the oil or grease will collect on piston head 57 and flow over the sides thereof; Channel 68 will prevent capillary action from carrying the extracted material along the under surface of the plunger head so thatit will be certain to drip onto tlange 3st and thus be prevented from moving inwardly of flange 3d and be discharged over relatively inaccessible portions of the press, and flow over base 11 on the floor.

From the above it will readily be seen that the successive pressing operations are continuously carried out without any interruptions in order to bring auxiliary apparatus such as chains, jacks, etc., heretofore used, into play. At the same time the press may be conveniently filled while the plunger is slowly receding.

The upper platen as is mounted for free swinging movement and can accordingly be quickly and easily swung outwardly for ejection of the press cakes and can as easily and quickly be swung back into curb nioui'h closing position which position is accurately determined by stop 47.

It is to be particularly observed that the removable upper platen not only facilitates the removal of the press cakes upon upward movement of piston head 57 but the construction permits the formation of the succeeding layers of fresh material closely adjacent the upper open end or mouth of curb 36 where the layers are always visible to the attendant thus enabling him to more uniformly and expeditiously distribute and level the material in the successive layers of the charge of material.

it will also be noted that the split collars l7 and 3 are adjustably mounted on rods 16 whereby different sized curbs canbe introduced between the upper and lower platens. It will be further noted that a'l the parts entering into the press construction are'removably secured in position as a result of which the press can be quickly assem led or disassembled. r it the same time the parts are of relatively simple construction and so arranged that the press can be quickly and easily cleaned. Moreover the construction is such that it can be manufactured and operated at comp ratively small initial cost.

Having disclosed a single specific embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that the same merely illustrative and not restrictive as the scope of my invention is to be determined from the subjoined claims and not from the foregoing specific disclosure.

Ev'hat l claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

'1. A hydraulic curb press comprising a press base, a cylinder formed in said base, a vertically operating plunger in said cylinder, a press head, a plurality of parallel support- .ing rods traversing alined openings in said base and head and disposed around said cylinder, collars on said rods to position said base and head in spaced relation and to prevent separational movement of said. head with respect to said base, an annular gutter supported on said base in surrounding relation to said pl .nger, a platen having a subs antial lateral extension provided with means surrounding one of said rods to pivotally secure said platen thereto, sleeves *lamped around said last named rod to position said platen beneath said head with eapability of swinging movement free of said head to the substantial extent permitted by said extension, a freely floating curb surrounding said plunger and normally resting gutter, and an adjustable stop on each s in the form of a sleeve-like clamp rod having a lateral extension arran ed when in operative position to engage said curb at spaced intervals around its periphery and limit its movement away from said base, said curb being formed so that the liquids expressed by said press drain into said utter.

2. a hydraulic curb press comprising a press base, a cylinder formed in said base, a vertically operating plunger in said cylinder, a press head, plurality of parallel supporting rods traversing alined openings in said base and head, and disposed around said cylon of said lOt einbracin 'inder, collars on said rods to position said base and head in spaced relation and to prevent separational movement of said head with respect to said base, an annular gutter supported on said base in surrounding relation to said plunger, a platen having a substantial lateral extension provided with means surrounding one of said rods to pivotally secure said platen thereto, sleeves clamped around said last named rod to position said platen beneath said head with capability of swinging movement free of said head to the substantial extent permitted by said extension, a freely floating curb surrounding said plunger and normally resting on said gutter, and an adjustable stop on each of said rods in the form of a sleeve-like clamp embracing a rod and having a lateral extension arranged when in operative position to engage said curb at spaced intervals around its periphery and limit its movement away from said base and to center said curb between said rods.

3. A hydraulic curb press comprising a press base, a cylinder formed in said base, a vertically operating plunger in said cylinder, a press head, a plurality of parallel supporting rods traversing alined openings in said base and head and disposed around said cylinder, collars on said rods to position said base and head in spaced relation and to prevent separational movement of said head with respect to said base, a platen having a substantial lateral extension provided with means surrounding said rod to pivotally secure said platen thereto, sleeves clamped around said last named rod to position said platen with cap ability of swinging movement free of said head to the substantial extent permitted by said extension, a freely floating curb constructed of spaced slats secured together by hoops and arranged in surrounding relation to said plunger and an adjustable sleeve-like clamp on each rod provided with a lateral extension projecting relatively close to said curb to approximately center it and in position to contact with one of said hoops when the curb is permitted to move away from said base by the shifting of said platen.

4. A curb for a hydraulic or similar press, comprising an open-ended body formed of a multiplicity of spaced slats secured in position with respect to each other by a plurality of hoops, certain relatively few of said slats being of greater length than the others to constitute legs which when the curb is supported thereon serve to space the ends of most of said hoops substantially above the supporting surface.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

NORMAN J. ALLBRIGHT. 

